Phases of Development

We have discovered that most people develop in a fairly predictable pattern. We have tested the works of M. Scott Peck, Maslow’s analysis of the hierarchy of needs, and the work of others. The diagram provided synthesizes this information in an analytical way that we hope will assist you in analyzing and communicating with others; and hopefully this will improve you relationships and accelerate your own development.

PHASE 4

METHODS:
• Seeks commonality rather than differences.
• Definitions are seen as hindrances to discovery.
• Discovery trumps all tradition.
• Can discern between substance and symbol.

BLIND-SPOTS:
• Underestimates causality and consequences.

KEY TO NEXT PHASE:
• A triggering experience that defies preconceived notions leads to the discovery that cognitive and sensory limits might be an illusion, and that one can do much more than previously imagined.

PHASE 7

RADIANT AND DISCONNECTED
As humans, we are not born with a mechanism to help us correlate our beliefs from one kind of experience to the next, and as a consequence, we may be far more advanced in one aspect of life than in another. We do not occupy only one phase at a time, but aspects of our lives are in different phases simultaneously.

Some common and harmful combinations:
• We might be excellent at caring for others but treat ourselves badly
• We are pillars of the community, yet we are unkind to our family members.
• We are in positions of authority, and punish others for dishonest behavior while permitting it in ourselves.

When our observations and ideals do not line up, we tend to justify our beliefs at any cost. If we believe we are good people, then we justify harming others by telling ourselves that they somehow deserved it. When we believe we have the truth, and if others disagree with us, we feel justified in punishing them.We must consciously choose to admit when we are wrong about something. When you realize that you are not your beliefs, your ideas, nor your desires, then you can not be harmed by discovery, and you get to advance faster.

SOME HANDY DEFINITIONS TO ASSIST SELF-REFLECTIONCheck your behaviors against these criteria:

GOOD is all that which is true, which increases understanding and ability, and invites others to do the same.